Casein is a protein found in cow’s milk and all dairy products made from cow’s milk. Casein is the primary protein found in milk and dairy products. Research shows that there can be serious health concerns from consuming milk and subsequently casein from bovine sources. As with any change in your diet, please consult with your doctor or naturopath for definitive advice.

The 3 BIG reasons to avoid casein

Cancer

I first learned about the link between cancer and casein when I read The China Study by T Colin. Campbell. In his book, Campbell explains that through his research he proved that casein promotes every stage of cancer. Furthermore, the rate of cancer growth could be controlled directly by the amount of casein given to lab animals. Campbell’s extensive research indicates that cancer can be avoided by removing dairy from our diets. Fortunately, plant based protein is free of casein and therefore does not contribute to our risk of developing cancer.

Respiratory Issues

Casein is a strong mucous forming substance. It is also used to form a very strong glue. These two properties together create the perfect storm for respiratory issues including asthma and other upper respiratory conditions.

One the rare accidental instances when I’ve consumed something made with cow’s milk I can immediately notice a difference in my body’s mucous levels. The back of my throat feels congested and my body feels sluggish from the effects on my respiratory system.

Allergies

Allergies can go hand in hand with respiratory issues when the culprit is casein. If the respiratory system is not functioning at it’s best your body will be more susceptible to respiratory allergic reactions including hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, runny noses, and ear infections.

If you suffer from any other these allergic reactions it might be worth your time and health to eliminate dairy from your diet to test if this decreases your suffering.

On a side note, some research shows that dairy and subsequently casein leads to ADHD. I’d like to encourage you to do your own research on this connection if you are struggling help a family member with ADD Or ADHD. Personally, I’ve seen a huge improvement with my own children and my husband in their attention spans after eliminating dairy and other animal protein sources.

5 Carnivorous Diet Myths

As always, please do not take my word for the statements included in this post, please do your own research so that you see there is ample scientific proof to debunk each of the following statements. With sufficient research you will begin to learn that an animal based diet, one filled with meat and dairy is not healthy and in no way prolongs your life span or quality of life.

You need animal protein to consume all of the essential amino acids your body needs to grow and thrive. This is undeniably false, as you can see by this protein and amino acids chart from VeganHealth.org is that there are ample non-animal food sources that contain high levels of protein and essential amino acids. You absolutely do not need to eat animal protein or dairy products to receive sufficient protein and essential amino acids.

Humans are designed to eat meat. This myth might be the one that gets under my skin the most. If those that claim this myth to be true did even a little bit of research they would quickly find out that this is absolutely false. Our “canine” teeth do not resemble the shape or serve the same function as large meat eating carnivores. These teeth are not efficient in the least for tearing meat off of bones. Additionally, our intestines are very long. The average human has a total of 25 feet of small and large intestines combined. Carnivores on the other hand have very short intestines which are designed to breakdown carnivorous diet. In light of this information if you still choose to eat meat you should know that it takes our intestines such a long time to breakdown meat that it rots in out gut before it is full expelled from our body. Chew on that thought next time you chow down.

Children need meat to develop properly. Absolute nonsense. Not only do I know this to be false from my own personal experience with my children but based simply on the facts that we’ve already discussed, children just like adults need protein and 10 essential amino acids to grow and develop. Protein and amino acids from fruits and vegetables are a much healthier source than from fat and cancer laden animal sources.

Dairy is a healthy source of calcium and essential for bone health. This myth took me the longest to learn and there is so much mis-leading information out there from large dairy-pro conglomerates. When it comes to healthy sources of calcium, dairy cannot compare to almonds, beans, tofu, and most dark green vegetables. Did you know that a cup of broccoli and other dark leafy green veggies have a calcium absorption rate of between 40 and 61 percent whereas milk has a calcium absorption rate of 32 percent? When it comes to calcium absorption is the key! When you couple the cancer causing properties of casein found in dairy with its low calcium absorption why would you waste your time and money buying dairy when you can spend more wisely on other fruits and veggies?

You must eat meat to get a sufficient amount of iron in your diet. A simple look at the nutritional content of nuts, grains, and in particular dark leafy green vegetables will debunk this myth in a heartbeat. As you can see from this chart, spinach has over 15 times more iron/mg than sirloin, hamburger, or chicken. The leading iron food sources are all vegan!

There are unfortunately many more false carnivore myths out there but these 5, in my opinion, are the most predominant and steadfast myths that human meat eaters stand behind. For your health I want to encourage you to do your own research into these myths, see for yourself that they are completely false and hold no weight. When you remove animal sources from your diet you will start walking down the road to complete and natural health. Don’t take my word for it, try removing animal sources for 21 days, see how you feel and the changes that you notice in your body and mental well-being might surprise you.

If you would like to try some delicious vegan recipes you might enjoy these:

It is no secret, my family and I are vegans. Although for a shorter time than some, we’ve seen the health benefits and in good conscience never go back to eating animal protein. Casein, the main health culprit in dairy and animal proteins do nasty stuff to our bodies.

I have over simplified the following 10 points with the hope that you will be spurred on to do your own reading and your own research. Please don’t take my word for any of this, take this article for what it is worth and do you own fact finding. Vegan research and health benefits are not hard to find. Popular books suck as The China Study and Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition are packed with more scientific research and information than the average person can possibly wrap their heads around in a single reading.

10 Reasons to Avoid Animal Protein

Reduce incidence of auto-immune disease

When the animal protein casein is broken down in your digestive tract they form chunks or fragments that can be mis-read by your body and cause an immune system response. This immune response causes inflammation and a whole host of auto-immune diseases such as arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, and migraines.

Lower blood sugar levels in diabetics

The China Study discusses this point extensively and my husband has first hand experience with the immediate results a plant based diet can have on insulin levels. My husband has reduced his average daily insulin a dramatic amount and is even able to skip insulin at meals if he chooses his food wisely. Not only that, but unlike most diabetics he has experienced a drop in his blood sugar numbers over night rather than the typical dramatic increase overnight experienced by most diabetics.

Reduce cancer risk

T. Colin Campbell in The China Study concluded through his research that casein, the protein in milk promotes cancer growth at all stages.

Increase bowel regularity and function

A plant based diet is the most efficient way to clean out your digestive system and keep it functioning at it’s best. If you are not regular with your bowel movements that is a sign that your body is not functioning properly and you are storing toxins. A plant based diet will remedy that situation and get your body functioning properly.

More energy

As mentioned in the point above, when you body is functioning at it’s best and is free of energy sapping toxins you will feel more energized. Our bodies are not designed to consume meat simply by the length of our intestines. When you feed your body the correct plant based diet you will feel like a new person.

Sleep better

When you switch to a plant based diet no longer will your body be full of animal protein toxins. Toxins coupled with a sluggish digestive system will cause sleep issues. I got my first good night sleep after I started living a plant based lifestyle.

Lower risk of heart disease

Animal protein contributes to heart disease, this fact has been known for years. Research this fact for yourself, the evidence is everywhere.

Simple economics

If you are struggling to make ends meet, the simple economics of buying food will tell you to steer clear of meat and dairy. Meat, milk, and cheese are expensive there is no denying that. So when you cut these high priced items from your monthly food budget you will suddenly have more money to purchase organic fruits and veggies dense in vitamins and minerals.

Clearer complexion

The fats in meat coupled with the immune response from casein wreck havoc on your skin cells, the largest organ in your body. Reduce inflammation and fat content in your body immediately when you remove animal protein and dairy.

Increased average life span

This point could go without saying but I think it is important enough to include on this list. As pointed out above reducing immune response and inflammation, lowering bolos sugar levels, reducing cancer and heart disease will all lead to a longer average life span. Which for you means you have a greater likely hood of living a long and healthy life when you remove animal protein from your diet.